Good god! I’ve just checks the Itech one. Calling it a beast is an understatement!
First lathe advice
- Thread starter Zag73
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Richard_C
Established Member
At that price you are buying a lathe plus (you expect) decent after sales service if anything goes wrong or you need spare parts. That would point me towards a specialist rather than a 'big shed'. You could give Simon Hope a call and ask what he has out on display, it would be worth the day out to go and look before you commit. I've seen him at shows and at a club demo, you are dealing with a real person not a big company.
Most people on here (me included) are likely to be using much less expensive kit so you might not find many with direct experience of the models you are looking at. The AWGB forum might have more users in the league you want to play in. Not sure if non members can sign up, maybe they can but if not a search and read might help you. Its much less active than this forum though. https://www.awgb.co.uk/awgbforum/
Most people on here (me included) are likely to be using much less expensive kit so you might not find many with direct experience of the models you are looking at. The AWGB forum might have more users in the league you want to play in. Not sure if non members can sign up, maybe they can but if not a search and read might help you. Its much less active than this forum though. https://www.awgb.co.uk/awgbforum/
alex robinson
Established Member
Might as well get a lot for your money! I am glad I have no space in my workshop (and have concreted my current lathe's legs in place). This sort of window shopping is dangerous! I normally look at completely impossible stuff like that monstrous magma titan 400 or lust after a wadkin ru that is rusted solid and weighs several tons. At least those are completely unattainable and so safe...Good god! I’ve just checks the Itech one. Calling it a beast is an understatement!
I’m going to give Simon Hope a ring and see what he suggests. From reading around the twister and the Axminster are pretty much the same machine but the former comes with a 5 year warranty.
Hi I have the twister 200 and I’m very pleased with it. It is basically the same as the Axminster, but there are subtle differences. The Twister has indexing, heavier legs, can have the swing away bed hinge and extension fitted, different electronics with 2 auxiliary power take offs which I use for extra lights. I would also get the quick release banjo accessory as I use that often. Simon is a great guy to deal with. His showroom has loads of lathes to look at, and you don’t get the hard sell.
Brilliant! Many thanks. Have you had any issues with it?
No not a one. Apart from keeping it free of rust in a garage
Had it about 3 years. Hasn’t missed a beat.
Simon Hope’s place is a good visit. Loads of lathes and tools.
Had it about 3 years. Hasn’t missed a beat.
Simon Hope’s place is a good visit. Loads of lathes and tools.
Many thanks! Of the ones I listed , the axi and the twister were the main two contenders.No not a one. Apart from keeping it free of rust in a garage
Had it about 3 years. Hasn’t missed a beat.
Simon Hope’s place is a good visit. Loads of lathes and tools.
leisurefix
Established Member
Few additional things to bear in mind.
1. Does the lathe have reverse rotation, if so what method of locking the chuck does it offer. ASR seems to be quite popular now, where a locking ring attaches on to a groove on the spindle. I use a grub screw into a recess that I drilled and tapped myself that I am perfectly happy with.
2. Can the lathe be bolted to the floor. If you are going to be turning large pieces of wood then you will want to bolt it down.
3. A low minimum speed is useful when turning and power sanding large items, especially natural edge items.
4. Dust protection should be considered mandatory. This can be a dust extractor to extract at source, or better would be a powered respirator, and best of all is both so your workshop doesn't become caked with dust.
5. A swivel head lathe does mean that you do not have to lean over the bed when turning the inside of an item so that is nice to have again for turning larger items. I guess you could turn in reverse rotation, my decades of muscle memory would have a fit I think doing that though.
As for turning tools, as you are just starting out perhaps you would be open to some of the new innovations, such as carbide tipped tools. Another thing to discuss with Simon Hope if you are to visit his showroom. Otherwise, as others have mentioned the Cryo tools are very good. How the handle feels in your hand is really important, that the diameter fits nicely so another thing to check in the showroom.
Finally, I have bought from all 4 companies and have good experiences with all of them.
1. Does the lathe have reverse rotation, if so what method of locking the chuck does it offer. ASR seems to be quite popular now, where a locking ring attaches on to a groove on the spindle. I use a grub screw into a recess that I drilled and tapped myself that I am perfectly happy with.
2. Can the lathe be bolted to the floor. If you are going to be turning large pieces of wood then you will want to bolt it down.
3. A low minimum speed is useful when turning and power sanding large items, especially natural edge items.
4. Dust protection should be considered mandatory. This can be a dust extractor to extract at source, or better would be a powered respirator, and best of all is both so your workshop doesn't become caked with dust.
5. A swivel head lathe does mean that you do not have to lean over the bed when turning the inside of an item so that is nice to have again for turning larger items. I guess you could turn in reverse rotation, my decades of muscle memory would have a fit I think doing that though.
As for turning tools, as you are just starting out perhaps you would be open to some of the new innovations, such as carbide tipped tools. Another thing to discuss with Simon Hope if you are to visit his showroom. Otherwise, as others have mentioned the Cryo tools are very good. How the handle feels in your hand is really important, that the diameter fits nicely so another thing to check in the showroom.
Finally, I have bought from all 4 companies and have good experiences with all of them.
I think the Axminster one has ASR. As for dust/chip collection, I’ve for an extractor close by so will have a shoot coming from existing pipe
